Clutch release bearing mounting assembly

Abstract

A clutch release bearing mounting assembly attaches a release bearing to the diaphragm spring of a pull-type clutch. An actuating component has a radial engagement flange which coacts with a disengaging member such as a diaphragm spring on the side of the diaphragm spring remote from the release bearing. A resilient coupling member axially connects the actuating member to the release bearing in the clutch release direction, that is, away from the clutch. Retaining fingers are arranged on the other side of the diaphragm spring, adjacent the release bearing, and cooperate with the engagement flange for axially maintaining the actuating component on the diaphragm spring. An annular biasing spring is also located on the other side of the diaphragm spring for urging the engagement flange against the diaphragm spring. The annular biasing spring is separate from the retaining fingers and bears against the clutch release bearing and against the diaphragm spring radially outwardly of the retaining fingers. This arrangement provides a two-way axial connection between the release bearing and the diaphragm spring.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A pull-type clutch release bearing mounting assembly for attaching clutch release bearing to pull-type clutch disengaging means, said clutch release bearing mounting assembly comprising an actuating component having a generally radial engagement flange for coacting with the clutch disengaging means on one side of the clutch disengaging means generally axially remote from the clutch release bearing, axial connecting means for axially connecting said actuating component to the clutch release bearing in a clutch relase direction, said actuating component including retaining means arranged on the other side of the clutch disengaging means and cooperating with said engagement flange for axially maintaining said actuating component on the clutch disengaging means, resilient biasing means disposed on the same side of the clutch disengagement means as said retaining means for constantly urging said engagement flange of said actuating component against the clutch disengaging means, said resilient biasing means being separate from said retaining means and bearing against the clutch release bearing. 
     
     
       2. The mounting assembly of claim 1, wherein said resilient biasing means bears against the clutch disengaging means radially outwardly of said retaining means. 
     
     
       3. The mounting assembly of claim 1, said actuating component and said retaining means in association with said resilient biasing means defining a two-way axial connection between the clutch release bearing and the clutch disengaging means. 
     
     
       4. The mounting assembly of claim 3, wherein said resilient biasing means bears against the clutch disengaging means radially outwardly of said retaining means. 
     
     
       5. The mounting assembly of claim 3, wherein said resilient biasing means comprises an annular part having a circularly continuous peripheral portion bearing against the clutch disengaging means, and a central portion divided into radial fingers bearing against a transverse shoulder formed on the clutch release bearing. 
     
     
       6. The mounting assembly of claim 4, wherein said resilient biasing means comprises an annular part having a circularly continuous peripheral portion bearing against the clutch disengaging means, and a central portion divided into radial fingers bearing against a transverse shoulder formed on the clutch release bearing. 
     
     
       7. The mounting assembly of claim 5, wherein said circularly continuous peripheral portion of said annular part comprises an axial section surrounding said retaining means. 
     
     
       8. The mounting assembly of claim 6, wherein said circularly continuous peripheral portion of said annular part comprises an axial section surrounding said retaining means. 
     
     
       9. The mounting assembly of claim 5, wherein said peripheral portion of said annular part comprises a bead of round cross-section for contact with the clutch disengaging means. 
     
     
       10. The mounting assembly of claim 5, wherein free ends of said radial fingers are received in a groove in the clutch release bearing. 
     
     
       11. The mounting assembly of claim 6, wherein free ends of said radial fingers are received in a groove in the clutch release bearing. 
     
     
       12. The mounting assembly of claim 7, wherein free ends of said radial fingers are received in a groove in the clutch release bearing. 
     
     
       13. A clutch release bearing mounting assembly for attaching clutch release bearing to pull-type clutch disengaging means, said clutch release bearing mounting assembly comprising an actuating component having a generally radial engagement flange for coacting with the clutch disengaging means on one side of the clutch disengaging means generally axially remote from the clutch release bearing, axial connecting means for axially connecting said actuating component to the clutch release bearing in a clutch release direction, retaining means arranged on the other side of the clutch disengaging means and cooperating with said engagement flange for axially maintaining said actuating component on the clutch disengaging means, resilient biasing means disposed on the other side of the clutch disengaging means for constantly urging said engagement flange of said actuating component against the clutch disengaging means, said resilient biasing-means being separate from said retaining means and bearing against the clutch release bearing, said resilient biasing means comprising an annular part having a circularly continuous peripheral portion bearing against the clutch disengaging means, and a central portion divided into radial fingers bearing against a transverse shoulder formed on the clutch release bearing. 
     
     
       14. A clutch release bearing mounting assembly for attaching clutch release bearing to pull-type clutch disengaging means, said clutch release bearing mounting assembly comprising an actuating component having a generally radial engagement flange coacting with the clutch disengaging means on one side of the clutch disengaging means generally axially remote from the clutch release bearing, axial connecting means for axially connecting said actuating component to the clutch release bearing in a clutch release direction, retaining means arranged on the other side of the clutch disengaging means and cooperating with said engagement flange for axially maintaining said actuating component on the clutch disengating means, resilient biasing means disposed on the side of the clutch disengaging means for constantly urging said engagement flange of said actuating component against the clutch disengaging means, said resilient biasing means being separate from said retaining means and bearing against the clutch release bearing, said resilient biasing means bearing against the clutch disengaging means radially outwardly of said retaining means, wherein said resilient biasing means compromise an annular part having a circularly continuous peripheral portion bearing against the clutch disengaging means, and a central portion divided into radial fingers bearing against a transverse shoulder formed on the clutch release bearing. 
     
     
       15. The mounting assembly of claim 13, wherein said circularly continuous peripheral portion of said annular part comprises an axial section surrounding said retaining means. 
     
     
       16. The mounting assembly of claim 14, wherein said circularly continuous peripheral portion of said annular part comprises an axial section surrounding said retaining means. 
     
     
       17. The mounting assembly of claim 13, wherein said peripheral portion of said annular part comprises a bead of round cross-section for contact with the clutch disengaging means. 
     
     
       18. The mounting assembly of claim 13, wherein free ends of said radial fingers are received in a groove in the clutch release bearing. 
     
     
       19. The mounting assembly of claim 14, wherein free ends of said radial fingers are received in a groove in the clutch release bearing. 
     
     
       20. The mounting assembly of claim 15, wherein free ends of said radial fingers are received in a groove in the clutch release bearing.